Morning journal and courier., 1887-07-23
FEw REmINIscENoEs
By an Old Resident of West Haven.Tl Little old School House of Nigh Eff


 By an old Resident of West Haven-The
 Little Old school House of Nigh Fifty
 Years Ago.
 My identification with West Haven, said
 George w. Metcalt, for thirty years trying
 justice of West Haven, dates back to 1941. I came here from a place called Augusta,
 about eighteen miles from Utica, N. Y., to- teach school. knew of no place to stop at, so followed man who knew was looking for nights lodging and who was acquainted l in New Haven. He went into Sam Browns I and did too. That was where stopped my first night in Connecticut. Sam Browns | was tavern opposite the. postofice, where Hoadley's building now is. As I said came
 here to teach school. Old Squire Painter, | father of Dr. Painter, examined me as to my
 qualifications. All he examined me in was | fractions. When he had done that he said | that was enough. He knew my handwriting l and had knowledge that had passed suc- eessfully an examination made by Professor | Avery, of Hamilton college, New York. did the sums all night that Painter gave me ! to do and he gave me certificate.
 Where did I teach school? It was on Main street in 8 frame building two or three east ] of the postofice and which is now occupied ! as dwelling house and has been tor years, | and is owned by Rev. MT. Reynolds of | North Haven. I kept school down stairs for boys and Squire Painter kept select school upstairs in the same building kept school ! there, we'll about half dozen winters. kept school there and up north of that ten winters. I taught one year in York State before coming here. pieced out my time in helping in building water wheels. helped
 build water wheels in Straitsville, ,Naugatuck, Cheshire and Westville. I worked also at mil n OrQnoa of
 tlemen was the father of John W. filling, the lawyer of New Haven. And that same John W. filling was one of the brightest, smartest boys I ever had in my school. He was an uncommonly bright fellow. Why, at that had the was grea8est SIX Tesh for o aRa saady 9e He didn't care to go out to play at recess; he'd rather study. He would stuck to his books with great assiduity and learned fast and eagerly. l said to myself then that boy will make his mark. He seemed to know the whole geography (Mitch- elrs it was) by heart, and all there was about astronomy on the back end he knew, too. He never missed in spelling, and at the spell ing matches there was no one who could out do him. l used to spell words wrong on pur- pose sometimes when with him, and instantly his bright eye would be upon me and he would correct me ''instanter." He was 8 modest, studious little boy and never gave me any trouble, and was pride and pleasure to me as 8 scholar.
 I was seventy years old on the the 22nd day of last February. I graduated at the academy in my section. I always had good health until my sickness of last year from which have recovered, but it badly affected my eyesight, and at one time could hardly see at all. Now, however, I can get about, but see yet obscurely and dimly, and have difficulty in recognizing countenances. Yes, in those old days when l taught school and s'boarded around" West Haven was good deal less of place than it is now. Things have changed here very much, and so won derfully here at the shore which used to be hanked with woods and blackberry lots, and now is so covered with shore cottages, and many of them such handsome ones, too.
 Do think the shore property continues to improve in value Yes, just as long as the city of New Haven grows the shore property will grow in value.
 MT. Metcalf here dedueed lesson from his experience. Why, when I first worked here at carpentering after learning the business I got $1.25 day and got good board for $2 per week, and I saved money every week. of them think they must have 8 or $4 day and if they get that don't think they can lay up @ cent. I remember well MT. Barnett father of our Dr. Barnett. com ing to me and saying, "Do you want me to put $50 in the bank for yous" My eyes sparkled with pleasure at the kindness and the token of confidence in me and interest in my we'll being, but said, "I haven't earned 1 it yet" "Never mind that" he said, and l he deposited it for me. It was good be- ! ginning. worked for Squire Barnett many years. built for him that tall eight-foot | fence which stood for so many years enclos ! ing that large lot of the Barnett land oppo- | site George R. Kelsey's residence and grounds, and have helped to build many homes in West Haven, among which is the | old seminary building. I meet still many of l my old boys who went to school to me- If l don't recognize them it is the fault of my eyes, but have hopes of a further improve ment of my sight. !